Watchcase



Dec. 19, 1933. J E, THURMOND 1,940,568

WATCHCASE Filed Oct. 25. 1930 italm rz/v 70/? J1? Thu/7711mm? f ATTORNEYS proof characteristic indefinitely.

it as Patented, Dec. 19, "1933 i imnatm This-invention relates to' watch cases; and more particularly to an improved {waterproof e and dust proof construction. 1

1 Numerous ways of constructing a watch case very high: Also, one of the main objections to the known types of "constructions'is the loss of the'water and dust 'proof feature once the watch case is openedfeither because of carelessness in closing or' reas'sembling; or because or the inability-to return'the-various parts to their originalpositions.

It is-an objectof the present invention to pro- W vide a; watch case which will retain its water- A "still further object :of the inventionisto provide a waterproof watch case construction which permits of setting of the watch while ex- V posed tomoisture, dustjandthe like, yet excluding the entrance of these elements thereinto.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel means for securing the back to the watch case, the usualscrew threads" or hinges being eliminated, such a constructionbeing especially adapted to the provision of a ready and simple means for effecting a water and dust proof sealing.

, Other and furtherv objects and advantages of the invention will be hereinafter set forth and the novel features thereof defined by the appended claim.

In the drawing: g Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a wrist watch, the case of which is constructed in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is, a rear elevation of the case shown in Fig. 1, portionsthereofbeing broken away, and the dotted lines indicating the position. of the back for removal or application thereto;

Fig.3 is an enlarged fragmentary detail sec-- tional view of the pendant assembly, the dotted lines indicating the position of the crown for setting the hands;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view'taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a view in elevation of the inner side of the back; and i I Fig. 6 is anenlarged fragmentary detail sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2. Like reference characters designate correend of the 'bar' being wA'rcncAsE; V y James EJTh urinond, Atascadero, Calif,*

.n-October 25, 1930. Serial No Claim. (01.58 j r spending parts in the severalfigures'" of the drawing wherein 1 denotes generally a wris't watch'having the-usual :strap' or bracelet '2 secured thereto at opposite sides of the'same, and 1 a crown 3 to be hereinafter more fully described. The strap or bracelet is preferably secured to the watch case by means of thestraplegs having a removable connecting bar or pin' 5 ex-1 tending therebetween through suitable looped ends 6 or catches on the strap or" bracelet. *The bars 5' are preferably removable" and provided be recessed'i'n one'ofthe lugs 4', the'fopposite' threaded; into the ico'rre-j ndi s a- I 1' By undercutting the lugs 4, as at 8,1'2toform grooves substantiallyin the plane-of the rear of the watch case, arid providing the back or cover 9 withcorrespondingly spaced projections 10, a simple and excellent means for securingf the back to the caseis provided. Theb'ack-"is also preferably provided on its inner side with spaced annular flanges 1 1 and 12 a'djacent' to the edge-"thereof, forming a recess 'therebetween into='which a suitable sealing orpackin'g mem ber 13 is placed. The packing member, which is inthe form of a gasket'ring; may be, made from rubber composition or like material of a resilient and waterproof nature. If desired, the packing 'may be saturated with oil or other waterproof substance, butthis is not absolutely necessary. if the proper material is used; I

The watch case is also provided with an annular flange'l4 so as to be located intermediate the flanges on the back to engage the packing when the back is secured to the case, the inner flange 12 of the back being adapted to engage the works 15. to hold the same against, the

' bezel 1s. I

Formed. on the back intermediate one of the pairs of projections 10 which cooperate with the strap lugs 4 is a my engaging member 17 having 1 a notch 18 formed therein into which a screwwith a screwdriver engaginghead 'Zadapted to driver orthe like may be inserted. The pro-. t

projections 10 to enter the grooves in the lugs 4, thereby effectively sealing the back with respect to the case. When the bar 5 is in position connecting the strap lugs between which the projection 1'7 extends, the bar acts as a guard to prevent accidental displacement of the back.

Referring now to the pendant assembly, 19 denotes a pendant having an inwardly turned flange 20 formed on the outward end thereof, the crown 3 being provided with a central tubular shank or sleeve 21 extending into the pendant and having threaded engagement with the watch stem 22. A jam or lock screw 23 suitably fastens the crown to the stem. The stem is preferably provided with an abutment flange 24 located adjacent the inward end of the pendant, a spring 25 encircling the tubular shank 21 and having its opposite ends engaging the flanges 20 and 24 to normally maintain the stem in an inward position. To set the hands, the crown is pulled outwardly against the action of the spring, as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 3. Such construction positively prevents the loss of the stem from the watch, as frequently occurs in the usual constructions now on the market. i

Intermediate the sides 26 of the crown and the pendant 19, is a tubular packing or sealing member 27 formed of material similar to the packing li in the back. When the crown is in its normal inward position, the packing 27 is firmly compressed between the sides of the crown and the pendant, as well as between the case of the watch andthe top of the pendant, the spring 25 aiding in such compression. Such a construction permits setting of the watch without breaking the seal, except as to one point which is between the packing and the watch case, thereby excluding the entrance of dust and moisture even during the setting operation, by virtue of the seals maintained at the other points. v

'Theoperation of the crown and back should be obvious from the foregoing. It is to be understood that the sealing of the back'with respect to the case may be accomplished in just the reverse manner as hereinbefore described, the annular flanges forming the recess for the packing being formed on the case instead of on the back and the packing carried therebetween by the case. In this construction, the back would carry the annular flange which falls intermediate the flanges on the case to engage the packing.

By providing the back with a pry engaging member, a more effective seal can be produced between the back and the case, as distinguished from the usual seals employed with backs having screw threaded or hinged engagement with the case, the screw threaded constructions being entirely dependent upon friction with the hand to screw the same tightly into sealed position. A considerable leverage may be obtained in applicants construction, thereby positively insuring a water and dust proof seal.

While the specific details of construction have been herein shown and described, the invention is not confined thereto as changes and alterations may be made without departing from the spirit thereof as defined by the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A pendant assembly for watch cases of the class described, comprising a pendant having an inwardly flanged outer end, a crown adapted to fit oversaid pendant, said crown having a central tubular shank extending into said pendant,

a stem in said pendant projecting into said shank in threaded engagement therewith, said 210 stem having an abutment flange formed thereon adjacent to the inward end of said pendant,

a jam screw for locking said crown with said stem, a spring encircling said shank and engaged at its opposite ends by the flanges on said pendant and stem, and a sealing member intermediate said crown and pendant.

JAMES E. THURMOND. 

